God Gives More than He Takes

God Gives More than He Takes

1989 3 March 18 God Gives More than He Takes (199) Willingness to make sacrifices presupposes firm faith in God. It was such a faith that Abraham demonstrated when he brought himself to the very point of slitting his own son’s throat. In a dream, Abraham saw himself sacrificing his own son and interpreted this as the will of God. Eager to carry out God’s commandment, he had put the knife to his child’s throat when he heard the voice of the Almighty commanding him to stop. He had already passed the divine test by showing how whole-hearted he was in obeying the word of God. He was then given a lamb to sacrifice instead.

This momentous happening shows us that, in most cases, when a sacrifices is called for, it is not accepted. It is not the sacrifice itself which is considered so desirable, but the willingness to make it. Any unwillingness to do so shows inadequate faith in God. It amounts to distrust of God’s love. Yet God gives far more than He takes, being the most kind and compassionate Creator and Sustainer. Abraham, after all, was asked to present to God only his son, whereas God, in return, conferred to Abraham the leadership of the whole world.